Category: projects

FT8 with WebSDR as receiver

I’ve experimented using a WebSDR.org receiver for FT8, while using my own antenna for transmitting. Reason for this is the S9++ QRN I have on the 160-meter band. The set-up is quite easy. I’m using a Mac Mini in the shack, but it has a Windows 10 Bootcamp partition for regular Ham Radio software. Install …

Continue reading

DVB-S with ADALM PLUTO SDR

B5 picture using 0 dBm over 30km+ distance

Peter (PA3PM) started to do some experiments with the ADALM SDR. This type of SDR is available for about $100 and capable of transmitting and receiving – even full-duplex – between 70 MHz and 6 GHz with a bandwidth up to 56 MHz. It’s capable to make DVB-S (and DVB-T) transmissions out of the box. …

Continue reading

23cm receiver PI6NOS

I’ve build an extra 23cm receiver for the regional 23cm repeater system PI6NOS in Hilversum. Building was quite straightforward. Just take a Raspberry Pi, an RTL-SDR stick and connect it to an antenna (using a band-pass filter not to overload the RTL-stick with crap). The repeater system is based on an svxlink controller so just …

Continue reading

Building an 13cm SSPA

With a few hams on the club we’re busy building 13cm SSPA’s. The base equipment is ex 3G/UMTS equipment. There are two models availlable for around 10 euro’s and can be found on ham flea markets. The small module has an output of about 30 Watts, the big modules output is around 90 Watts. on …

Continue reading

Welcome 13cm band SSB

Since last month I’m QRV on 2302 MHz to, with help from the LZ5HP transverter. Next is to build an SSPA based on ex 3G/UMTS equipment. The modules and 24VDC PSU is there. I only need to find the right heatsink.

New antenna for PI6ATS

PI6ATS, a locat ATV repeater, has a new VHF-antenne. The operators used an old indoor horizontal loop / halo antenna for audio reception on 144.7625 MHz. This wasn’t the best situation, since many people had a way stronger signal on 13cm then on VHF, if the repeater could receive a signal (1750 HZ tone) at …

Continue reading

Hytera (crossband) repeater

Take two pieces of the Hytera MD785 and build your own (crossband) repeater. No logic, just a simple cable with 4 resistors are needed. Works with FM and DMR of FM to DMR or the other way around. Keep in mind that when using a DMR-DMR repeater, audio will be converted to analog first causing …

Continue reading

Fixing PI3ASD interference

Santino (PD8S) called me to help  sorting out a problem at the new PI2ASD and PI3ASD repeaters. PI3ASD is causing interference on a TELE2 microwave link. Tough this link works on 13 GHz, the modulator has a baseband working on 140 MHz +/- bandwidth. The PI3AMS repeater is just in the middle of that band, …

Continue reading

PI1AMS view

The view from PI1AMS, DMR-repeater Amsterdam.

HAMNET Netherlands kick-off

Meeting where the PI2NOS repeater is located

Last week we had a nice meeting about the roll-out of HAMNET in the Netherlands. Attendees were Paul (PE1RJV), Lucas (PD0LVS), Rob (PE1CHL) and me. We all have our specialties when it comes to networking, IP, DNS, etc. With this small team we should be able to make fast progress… We already found a network …

Continue reading